Sheffield United transfer deadline day state of play amid Sunderland man pursuit, priority areas, exits potential
Sheffield United are bracing themselves for what they hope will be a busy deadline day as they look to bolster Chris Wilder’s squad before tonight’s deadline at 7pm. United are said to be close to securing another breakthrough in the market after signing Ki-Jana Hoever on loan from Wolves earlier in the window.
Their priorities have been well documented, with urgent midfield reinforcements required amid a spate of fitness and unavailability concerns in the middle of the park, while a serious-looking injury to Sam McCallum at Millwall at the weekend saw a player capable of covering at left-back suddenly come into focus.
As we revealed this morning Leo Hjelde, the former Celtic and Leeds United man now at Sunderland, is one player that the Blades are exploring on deadline day, with the Norwegian also capable of covering another priority position of centre-half.
United were already looking to bolster that department after sending Ben Godfrey back to Atalanta earlier in the window and more recently sanctioning a loan move for Nils Zatterstrom, who joined Genoa in Serie A.
Crystal Palace man Chadi Riad had been another name linked but Hjelde is seen as a more versatile option considering United’s sudden need for left-back reinforcements.
Young Chelsea left-back Harry McGlinchey is said to be close to joining the Blades, according to Football Insider, but if that deal does come off we understand he is seen as a development prospect rather than someone ready to challenge Harrison Burrows for a first-team spot in the immediate future.
Sheffield United transfer deadline day state of play amid Sunderland man pursuit, priority areas, exits potential
Frank Onyeka, another player United are understood to have looked at in this window, is close to joining Coventry City on loan from Brentford while United missed out on another midfield target, Sunderland’s Dan Neil, to Ipswich Town earlier in the window.
Their midfield need became potentially even more acute at the weekend when Tom Davies limped off at Millwall with a hamstring issue and will be sent for a scan. Oliver Arblaster is still getting up to speed after a long absence while Sydie Peck has also spent time on the sidelines this season, while Djibril Soumare has now completed his three-match ban.
As well as incomings United have also been keen to secure some outs in this window to try and trim the bloated squad that Wilder reinherited back in September, and more departures are possible ahead of tonight’s 7pm deadline.
Winger Ehije Ukaki yesterday joined Greek Super League side Atromitos on loan for the rest of the season, while United also hope to offload fellow Nigerian Christian Nwachukwu before the window slams shut.
If the Blades can sign a midfielder there is a possibility Alex Matos could also depart, with his former loan club Oxford United - who, intriguingly, visit Bramall Lane tomorrow evening - still interested in a deal.
But the former Chelsea man is understood to be a significant earner at Bramall Lane and United may have to supplement his salary if he moves to a lower-division club, with United’s League One neighbours Rotherham United also mooted as a potential destination over the weekend.
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